nadyne's review
Other thoughts/reviews:
Books and Chocolate: https://karensbooksandchocolate.blogspot.be/2016/12/the-quincunx-by-charles-palliser.html
Books and Chocolate: https://karensbooksandchocolate.blogspot.be/2016/12/the-quincunx-by-charles-palliser.html
ladyr's review
5.0
I first read this about 10 years ago and its remained fondly in my memory as one of my all-time great reads.
The first time I remember racing through it entirely absorbed in the brilliant atmosphere of early Victorian London and the cast of myriad characters.
This time around I was still captivated but made sure I paid more attention to the plot and the various sub plots and hidden stories within and was richly rewarded although still left with some puzzles I cannot solve!
This is a huge read at 1000+ pages but this was the perfect time of year to read it with the cold dark winter days and nights.
If you love historical fiction, mysteries and Dickens/Collins then you absolutely have to give this a go.
10 years on it still gets 5 stars from me and I cannot believe it is not more widely known.
I love anything Palliser writes but for me this is his standout work.
I now have "book hangover" as a result!
The first time I remember racing through it entirely absorbed in the brilliant atmosphere of early Victorian London and the cast of myriad characters.
This time around I was still captivated but made sure I paid more attention to the plot and the various sub plots and hidden stories within and was richly rewarded although still left with some puzzles I cannot solve!
This is a huge read at 1000+ pages but this was the perfect time of year to read it with the cold dark winter days and nights.
If you love historical fiction, mysteries and Dickens/Collins then you absolutely have to give this a go.
10 years on it still gets 5 stars from me and I cannot believe it is not more widely known.
I love anything Palliser writes but for me this is his standout work.
I now have "book hangover" as a result!
bronwen's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The best Victorian pastiche I've ever read - it will be very hard to find something that beats it.
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